Blog & Advice

Avoid Costly Home Repairs: The Must-Have Checklist for Spring

Just as an annual physical is a good idea for overall health, routine inspection and maintenance are important for the up-keep of your home. Spring is a great time to check up on your roof, plumbing, A/C, and other areas of the home to avoid costly repairs and to keep your home in great shape throughout the year. It’s easy to inspect your own home, but what about your rental? Because they are not as easily accessible, rental homes can be even more difficult to maintain but Real Property Management has put together a must-have springtime checklist to make sure your home stays in great shape.

Outdoors

• ✓ Prep your lawn for summer growth by raking up dead leaves and branches, fertilize and aerate lawns. Have a plan in place between the tenant and landlord determining who is responsible for the lawn care.
• ✓ Inspect your foundation and mend any cracks and gaps in concrete areas such as driveways, walkways, and patios.
• ✓ Inspect exterior door hardware and repair any squeaky handles and loose locks.
• ✓ Check windows and doors for cracks and gaps and seal with caulk or weather stripping, replacing if necessary.
• ✓ Clean window and door screens.
• ✓ Touch up exterior siding and trim with paint.
• ✓ Remove leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts.
• ✓ Inspect the roof for missing, loose, or damaged shingles and leaks.
• ✓ Inspect the wood deck and consider refinishing or sealing.
• ✓ Have a professional inspect and pump the septic tank.
• ✓ Inspect outdoor water systems such as pipes, faucets, and in-ground sprinkler systems.

Indoors

• ✓ Change the A/C filter, check hose connections for leaks, make sure the drain pans are draining freely, and vacuum any dust that has settled on the unit and connections.
• ✓ Clean the furnace filter to remove dust build-ups. This can ultimately lower your utility bills by regulating the temperature in your home.
• ✓ Have the fireplace professionally inspected and cleaned.
• ✓ Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your home, including the basement.
• ✓ Check the water softener and replenish salt if necessary.
• ✓ Clean faucet aerators and showerheads to remove mineral deposits.
• ✓ Inspect tub, shower and sink drains for debris and inspect the caulking for deterioration.
• ✓ Vacuum lint from the dryer vent.
• ✓ Clean the carpets.
• ✓ Inspect the attic for insects and other pests and professionally spray all areas of the home.
• ✓ Spring cleaning of the home is recommended, especially often neglected areas such as ceiling fans, fabric drapes, tops of wall-mounted cabinets, top of the refrigerator, and blinds. Removing dust and other allergens makes for an all-around healthier home.

While it may seem like quite the Honey-Do list, regular maintenance and inspections of your rental home is something we at Real Property Management pride ourselves on. Home maintenance and repair can be time-consuming, and expensive if you are not the do-it-yourself type. Saving you money in the long-run is just an added bonus to the great preventative measures we take to ensure a well-maintained home.